NFL Free Agency: Tracking all Chicago Bears moves and signings

NFL free agency is here.

The Chicago Bears, one play or two away from an appearance in the NFC Championship game, are looking to take the next step. That starts Monday, as a key signing today could pay off down the line.

Follow along with us here as we track all the Bears' rumors and moves as NFL free agency begins with the legal tampering period.

NFL Free Agency Live Tracker

Wednesday, March 11

6:24 PM: Bears lose reserve tight end

Durham Smythe came to Chicago as a tight end who understood Ben Johnson's system and could allow the Bears to play in 13-personnel.

Smythe followed his old offensive coordinator in free agency. Smythe has reportedly agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens. He'll reunite with former Bears' offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

1:45 PM: Bears All-Pro safety leaves for Super Bowl runner up

Kevin Byard was one of the Bears' defensive leaders. With Coby Bryant in the fold, he'll take his talents to the northeast.

NFL Network reported that Byard is signing a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. 

Tuesday, March 10

7:15 PM: An NFL stunner

The Bears, rumored to be in on Maxx Crosby, might have a shot at landing him after all.

The Raiders announced the Baltimore Ravens have backed out of the agreement the two had in place to land Crosby. Crosby is still a Raider, for now.

6:57 PM: Bears add defensive end

According to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bears added a defensive end to their rotation. The Bears are signing former Falcons defensive end Kentavius Street.

Street has been with the Falcons since the 2023 season and was originally drafted by the 49ers. He has 10.5 career sacks.

3:50 PM: Bears fill Wright's departure

According to ESPN, Wright's departure left a void that didn't last long.

Jeremy Fowler reported the Bears will add former Bills cornerback and six-year NFL veteran Cam Lewis on a two-year deal.

2 PM: Nahshon Wright gets payday

Nahshon Wright cashed in.

ESPN reported that Bears' cornerback Nahshon Wright will sign a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the New York Jets. Wright posted his goodbye on X, confirming his departure to New York.

12:40 PM: Bears add to their WR room

The Bears needed to add to their wide receiver room after Olamide Zaccheaus left for Atlanta.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bears added former Lions receiver Kalif Raymond. He joins the Bears' receiver room, but will also provide value in the return game.

Monday, March 9

5:57 PM: Bears to bring back LT

According to multiple reports, the Bears are re-signing left tackle Braxton Jones on a one-year deal.

The contract is worth up to $10 million.

5:32 PM: Moves are slowing, what's next for the Bears?

We've come to the end of Day 1 of NFL Free Agency. The Bears added:

• S Coby Bryant
• DT Neville Gallimore
• LB Devin Bush

The Bears have also re-signed:

• QB Case Keenum
• LB D'Marco Jackson
• DL/LB Daniel Hardy

What's next for the Bears? There's not much they can do in terms of making signings without a couple of extra moves. If they make simple restructures on Montez Sweat and Joe Thuney's contracts, they could free up $28 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. Then, the Bears could pursue another name.

It's also fair to expect the Bears to re-sign players like Elijah Hicks, Durham Smythe and other role players with smaller contracts. These moves will come clear in the coming days.

4:44 PM: Key names still available

The Bears could still dip into free agency if they want. The likes of Trey Hendrickson, Taylor Decker, Calvin Austin III and others are available.

Bears safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are still available. It remains to be seen what market those two have, but as the hours pass it becomes more likely the Bears could re-sign one of the two on a friendly deal to pair alongside Coby Bryant.

4:08 PM: Former Illini OL gets paid

According to ESPN, Patriots offensive lineman Vederian Lowe will sign with the 49ers on a two-year deal with $5.75 million guaranteed.

Lowe is a former Illinois offensive lineman and is a Rockford native. His contract is worth a max value of $12 million.

3:56 PM: Cardinals land veteran QB

The Cardinals are reportedly signing Gardner Minshew away from Kansas City. Arizona was presumed to be a team asking the Bears about back up quarterback Tyson Bagent.

It remains to be seen if the Cardinals, who moved on from Kyler Murray this offseason, will bring in multiple quarterbacks to battle for the starting quarterback job.

3:34 PM: EDGE rushers are an expensive commodity

The Bears have added a defensive tackle, linebacker and safety in free agency. What they haven't added is an EDGE rusher. There might be a reason for that.

According to ESPN, Chargers oases rusher Odafe Oweh reached agreement on a four-year, $100 million deal including $68 million guaranteed with the Commanders, while Sports Illustrated reported the Bengals have agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe.

That's a lot of money going around for pass rushers. It might not be the kind of money the Bears can afford to give, and they might not need to pony up big money for a pass rusher with a deep class available in the 2026 NFL Draft.

3:19 PM: Keenum's value

The NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards, touchdowns, and completions didn't throw a pass for the Bears in 2025. He's still making $5.5 million as part of his new contract.

The Bears were open about how important Keenum is contributing in other ways.

"He's played in big games himself at a high level. He's won big games. He's lost big games," Bears coach Ben Johnson said. "His experience has been something that all these young players can really lean into."

3:11 PM: Bears re-sign key backup

The Bears lauded the lessons Case Keenum brought to the team's quarterback room. He'll be back the next two seasons to help guide the room.

According to ESPN, Keenum is re-signing with the Bears on a two-year deal worth a max value of $8 million. 

2:20 PM: Former Bears LB lands in New York

After the Bears released Tremaine Edmunds to save $15 million in cap space, the linebacker has found a new home.

Edmunds is reportedly signing with the New York Giants, pairing with first-year head coach John Harbuagh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Edmunds will line up with a defensive front that includes Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.

2:05 PM: Former Bears pass rusher heads to Houston

ESPN is reporting Dominique Robinson, one of Ryan Poles' developmental picks in his first year as GM, is signing with Houston.

Robinson told FOX 32 on locker room clean out day that he wanted to remain in Chicago but would explore his options. Robinson had a strip sack on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the NFC Divisional round that would have changed the game, but Stafford fell on the fumble.

1:53 PM: The latest on Devin Bush

The Bears are giving former top-10 pick Devin Bush $21 million guaranteed over three years. This comes after his resurgence in Cleveland.

After being selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Bush had one off year in Seattle before signing with the Browns. Last year, he had 125 total tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions. He took two of those interceptions back for touchdowns. 

1:37 PM: Bears land big-time linebacker

The Bears are spending big at linebacker.

According to ESPN, the Bears have reached an agreement with linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year deal worth $30 million.

The second defensive splash for the Bears.

1:28 PM: Packers and Lions will look different in the trenches

The Packers' defensive line will be without Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare or Colby Wooden next season.

The Lions are also expected to sign center Cade Mays to a $25 million contract on the heels of Taylor Decker departing the franchise, too.

The NFC North trenches will be very different next season. The Bears will have to adjust.

1:15 PM: Etienne's pay day gives perspective

According to reports, former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne will get a four-year, $52 million contract from the New Orleans Saints.

The Bears have D'Andre Swift under contract for one more year at just $8 million. After a career year, Swift's contract looks like a steal compared to running backs in the same tier or just above him. It's a signing by Ryan Poles that was questioned at the time, but has aged very well. 

1:04 PM: Linderbaum gets his pay day

Bears fans were wondering if the Bears could get in on the Tyler Linderbaum sweepstakes. That's a contest the Raiders won in expensive fashion.

According to ESPN, former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum reached agreement on a record deal with Las Vegas. The Raiders are giving him a three-year, $81 million deal. That's big money for the best center in the league, and not a price point the Bears could match.

1:00 PM: Former Bears QB heads to Tennessee

According to multiple reports, former Bears' No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky heads from Buffalo to Tennessee.

He'll be backing up 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.

12:50 PM: What Bryant's signing means for the Bears

The Bears' free agency splash improves the secondary immediately. 

Here's what else it means for the Bears.

12:30 PM: The latest on Coby Bryant

The Bears will sign Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract. According to FOX Sports, Seattle made a push to re-sign their starting safety. Instead, Bryant will land with the Bears.

12:25 PM: The Bears land a safety

According to NFL Network, the Bears are indeed signing Bryant.

The former Seahawk had four interceptions and seven pass break ups for Seattle last year. It's the biggest addition to the defensive secondary. 

12:02 PM: Bears are eying a safety from the NFC West

According to CBS' Jonathan Jones, the Bears are eying Seattle safety Coby Bryant.

Most recently. Bryant started for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. He's a Cincinnati product, but it would remain to be seen what that means for Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.

11:55 AM: Bears land their first signing of the day

The Bears' first free agency move is adding a defensive lineman.

The Bears will sign former Colts defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to a two-year deal, Gallimore's agency confirmed with FOX 32.

11:55 AM: Packers lose their backup QB

The Packers' defensive coordinator takes over as head coach in Miami, and now Malik Willis is his starting QB.

According to ESPN, Willis is signing with the Dolphins after Miami released Tua Tagovailoa. 

11:49 AM: Panthers set the EGDE rusher market

With one move, the Panthers may have made life difficult for the Bears.

Carolina will reportedly sign pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to a 4-year, $120M deal. The Bears, who were presumed to be in the pass rusher market, now might be out of it with Phillips getting a deal worth $30 million per year for arguably the best pass rusher available.

11:39 AM: Name to watch - James Pierre

According to Josina Anderson, the Bears are a team to watch in free agency for Steelers cornerback James Pierre. 

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback has four career interceptions and five career forced fumbles. With Nahshon Wright potentially in line for a massive free agency pay day, the Bears could add Pierre to their cornerback room and reunite him with Al Harris. Pierre was a cornerback at FAU in 2019 when Harris was a defensive assistant under then-head coach Lane Kiffin.

11:28 AM: Don't expect a repeat of 2025

Last year, the Bears splashed with Drew Dalman, Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo on the first day of free agency. Don't expect the same kind of moves.

The Bears have their core in place, and limited cap space. Their biggest move of the day will be the most telling.

11:06 AM: Former Bears WR heads to Atlanta

Olamide Zaccheaus, who was the Bears' veteran presence in the locker room alongside DJ Moore, will head to Atlanta. The Bears could be in the market for a receiver to join Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze and JahDae Walker.

10 AM: Bears lock down D'Marco Jackson

The Bears created a need at linebacker by releasing Tremaine Edmunds, but they'll lock down a key contributor before the frenzy begins.

According to NFL Network, D'Marco Jackson is returning to the Bears on a two-year, $7.5 million deal that could be worth up to 10.5 million with incentives.

Chicago Bears biggest needs

The Bears enter the 2026 season with a critical list of needs. Here are the biggest needs we know the Bears have as free agency begins:

• Left Tackle: With Ozzy Trapilo's knee injury, the Bears need a veteran left tackle that could lock down Caleb Williams' blind side for the 2026 season and maybe beyond that. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
• Safety: As Ryan Poles noted in his end-of-season press conference, all four of the Bears safeties that were on the roster in 2025 will be free agents. The Bears need to lock that position down with an open competitive window. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
• Pass Rusher: Montez Sweat can't do it all alone, and the Bears have a handful of rotational pass rushers hitting free agency. There's no telling how Dayo Odeyingbo's recovery from Achilles surgery could affect his 2026 season. The Bears could address this position now or in the draft. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
• Defensive Tackle: The Bears' defensive line could be extremely thin if Andrew Billings doesn't return. This is a position that could be addressed in the NFL Draft. PRIORITY LEVEL: MEDIUM
• Linebacker: Getting Jackson back into the fold is a good move, but the Bears still need to add depth after releasing Amen Ogbongbemiga and Tremaine Edmunds. PRIORITY LEVEL: MEDIUM

Chicago Bears free agents

Unrestricted Free Agents

Kevin Byard, safety – 32 years old (UPDATE: reportedly signing with the New England Patriots)

Joe Tryon-Shoykina, defensive end – 26 years old

Ryan Bates, center – 28 years old

Andrew Billings, defensive tackle – 30 years old

Chris Williams, defensive line – 27 years old (UPDATE: reportedly signed with the Atlanta Falcons)

Durham Smythe, tight end – 30 years old

Jonathan Owens, safety – 30 years old

Case Keenum, quarterback – 37 years old (UPDATE: re-signed with the Bears)

Jaquan Brisker, safety – 26 years old

Travis Homer, running back – 27 years old

Olamide Zaccheaus, wide receiver – 28 years old (UPDATE: Zaccheaus reportedly agrees to terms with atlanta)

Nick McCloud, cornerback – 27 years old

Jaylon Jones, safety – 28 years old

Scott Daly, long snapper – 31 years old

Devin Duvernay, wide receiver/return man – 28 years old

Nahshon Wright, cornerback – 27 years old (UPDATE: signed with the New York Jets)

D'Marco Jackson, linebacker – 27 years old (UPDATE: The Bears reportedly signed Jackson to a two-year, $10 million deal)

Braxton Jones, offensive tackle – 26 years old (UPDATE: re-signing with the Bears on a one-year deal)

Dominique Robinson, defensive end – 27 years old (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with Houston)

Elijah Hicks, defensive back – 26 years old (UPDATE: reportedly re-signing with the Bears)

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Jordan McFadden, offensive guard – 26 years old

Theo Benedet, offensive tackle – 24 years old (signed a one-year, $1 million contract)

Restricted free agents

Noah Sewell, linebacker – 23 years old

Daniel Hardy, defensive end/linebacker – 27 years old (UPDATE: The Bears reportedly signed Hardy to a two-year, $6 million deal)

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